ODPM head: North Coast Road landslips almost guaranteed

JABARRI SUPERVILLE

A landslip near the Maracas lookout, which occurred in the wee hours of this morning, left motorists on the North Coast Road in a bit of traffic.

Speaking to Newsday today, Head of Disaster Coordination in the Office of Disaster and Preparedness Management, Kernel Williams, said the San Juan/Laventille Regional Corporation and the Ministry of Works and Transport were made aware of the landslide and “dispatched resources” to deal with the landslip. He added that while work was being done to clear away the debris, motorists were asked to approach the area with caution and be “prepared to follow instructions.”

Williams added that landslips on the North Coast Road are “almost guaranteed” due to heavy rainfall and illegal clearing on the hills on the Northern Range.

In a press release today, the Ministry of Works and Transport, said work is expected to continue tomorrow to clear debris. Motorists are advised that one lane is currently open to allow the flow of vehicles; however moderate traffic is expected and drivers should look out for the presence of heavy equipment and workers on site.

The ministry’s technical team is also conducting further remedial work such as the removal of loose trees and soil that cause immediate threat, and are examining possible preventative measures such as the benching of the slope.